Charles w



(No Model.)

-' 0. W. PHILLIPS.

. BRIDLB BIT.

No. 493,389. v Patented Mar. 14, 1893.

Wdnesses: CHARLES m PHILLIPS,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. PHILLIPS, OF KEOKUK, IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES M. COOK AND GEORGE D. RAND, OF SAME PLACE.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 493,339, dated March 14, 1893.

Application filed October 18, 1892.

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. PHILLIPS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Keokuk, in the county of Lee and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bits for horses, and consists in a novel construction of double-bar bit, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved bit, showing its position in use; and Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same.

Before enteringinto a detailed description of my improved bit, I desire to say that I am aware that a two-bar bit, in which the upper bar is carried by the head-stall or checkstraps and the lower bar is suspended from the upper one, is, broadly considered, old,

and I therefore make no claim thereto.

My invention consists in an improved construction whereby I avoid certain objections that have been found in practice to exist against former constructions, and by which I am enabled to produce a peculiarly efficient and satisfactory bit.

In the annexed drawings A indicates a bar provided at its ends with rings B B to receive 0 the check or head-stall straps O.

D indicates a second bar, advisably heavier than the bar A, and suspended from said bar A by means of the cheek pieces E, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cheek pieces E are of 3 5 the form shown in Fig. 1; that is to say, they each comprise a ring a, an upward extension I), and a head or enlargement c at the upper end of the extension I), which head is provided with a slot or elongated opening d.

The bar A passes through the slots (1 of the cheek pieces E, said slots permitting a com siderable play of the bar A and cheek pieces E in relation to each other. 7

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rings B of the bar A are swiveled or mounted in eyes in the ends of the bar A outside of or beyond the cheek pieces E, the rings being preferably shouldered to retain them in their proper position. The bar D is likewise provided Serial No. 449,285. (No model.)

with eyes at its ends in which are swiveled the cheek pieces E, said cheek pieces being formed with shouldered portions 6, to fit the eyes of the bar and prevent said bar from moving out of place, while at the same time permitting a free movement of the cheek 5 pieces laterally. As above stated, the headstall or check straps are attached to the rings B of the upper bar A, and the bit is carried thereby. The check rein also has its ends attached to the rings B. The driving reins are attached to the rings a of the cheek pieces E. Under this construction and arrangement the bar A fits well up into the mouth of the horse in the place of the ordinary single-bar bit, while the bar D is dropped to a 5 point about an inch-and-a-half lower. The check rein therefore acts only upon the upper bar, which, by reason of its peculiar connection with the cheek pieces, may be freely moved back and forth a considerable dis- 7o tance. In driving the guiding is effected by means of the bar D, and the horse is mainly controlled by said bar, which, being materially lower in the mouth of the horse than is customary, gives the driver a much greater 7 leverage on the horses under jaw to prevent his taking the bit in his teeth and ignoring the pull upon the reins. The continuation of the upward extensions 1) as integral portions of the cheek pieces enables the driver by drawing firmly upon the driving reins to rock the cheek pieces about the axis of the bar D and to force or pry open the mouth of the horse in the event of his endeavoring to grasp the bit in his teeth. Under ordinary circumstances, however, the bit is exceedingly easy upon the mouth of the horse,neither injuring nor fretting him,though affording absolute and easy control in the event of his being frightened or vicious.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The herein described bit, consisting of upper bar A, provided with rings B, lower bar D, and cheek pieces E provided at their 5 upper ends with slots to receive the bar A.

2. An improved bit, consisting of an upper bar A provided at its end with swiveled rings B to receive the head-stall 0r cheek straps In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and the cheek-rein, a lower bar D, provided in the presence of two witnesses. at its ends with eyes, and cheek pieces E swiveled in the eyes of the bar I) and provided CHARLES PHILLIPS 5 with slotted extensions through which is \Vituesses:

passed the bar A, substantially as shown and G. M. COOK,

described. JOs. W. SPAAN. 

